Qatar – change of aircraft

[Chris B]

Hi Headforpoints Forum – I hope you can share your experience with me.

I’ve received a message from Qatar Airways advising of a change of aircraft for a flight from Doha to Perth. This was originally booked as an A380 – and yes, I had booked an Avios redemption in First. The aircraft has been changed to a 777 and so First is obviously not available and I’m now in Business. As this was a redemption I had been saving up for I had wanted to enjoy the First Lounge in Doha and generally get the full experience. I appreciate that mine is the ultimate first world problem, but given that I need to fly in or around the date booked (mid-August), in your experience is this just one of those things that happens and I might as well just click the box on the internet to accept the new flight? As I have a 7 hour wait in Doha, does Qatar have a policy of continuing to allow those who booked in First to use the First lounge? That would get me some of the experience I was seeking to enjoy. Any tips on how I can best address this with Qatar would be appreciated.

[JDB]

@ChrisB – QR isn’t usually too flexible about service recovery gestures like the Al Safwa lounge access, albeit I wouldn’t be too concerned about missing out on that vs the QR Al Mourjan lounges you will still be able to access. Depending on how QR has re-ticketed your booking, you may even get some Avios and TP. Above all, if your journey started in London on one ticket with a connection (rather than a stopover) you should be entitled to a reimbursement/compensation of 75% for the downgraded sector after you have travelled, although QR may not be too helpful about that!